Half of the yardsticks say he’s worthy. The other two say the opposite. I just don’t think he had enough dominating seasons. He was lights on from 1939-1942 and again in 1944. The problem is only three of those years did he have outstanding Win-Loss Percentages. If you take those three years away he actually has a losing record. I’m sorry, but that doesn’t sway me to the Hall of Fame side. He did have a signature year winning the Triple Crown and MVP in 1939, but he didn’t do enough. Perhaps if he came up as a Pitcher rather than a Third Baseman he would have the numbers he needed. As it stands, I’ll have to pass on Bucky for Cooperstown.

I agree as well. He just doesn’t have enough strength in other areas with his winning percentage not being very strong to make him standout to be voted upon. Those four great years will only carry him so far. Great stuff Lester.

The interesting feature of Buckys career are the many intangibles and off the field contributions throughout Buckys career – his career was as negatively impacted by the War as anybody that didnt actually play.

Although a debatable Hall of Famer – his career had him go overseas as a member of the USO tour trapped by the advancing Germans at the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge, he was one of the players that participated in the first player/owner negotiations of 1946 that averted the “Mexican Jumping” situation, and created the first official pension for ballplayers. His career also had him play nearly every position but catcher, active player/manager, and believe it or not he actually umpired two games. In short – his career had him do more than be a pitcher… which only reflects 2/3rds of his playing career.